Local gift ideas for the festive season Creations that tell the story of the Thau Archipelago

Giving a gift is like telling a story. And what better story than that of the Thau Archipelago, etched in clay, carved in wood, screen-printed on paper or distilled from lemons? This year, forget impersonal gifts. Discover six passionate creators who transform the Thau basin into unique, handmade objects imbued with meaning. Gifts that extend the holiday spirit long after the festivities are over.

Updated on 15 June 2026

JEAN-LOUIS DELORME FIGURINES AND SHIELDS THAT SHAPE MEMORY

In his studio in Frontignan, Jean-Louis Delorme shapes far more than just materials. At the age of 70, this visual artist creates pieces that capture the spirit of the Thau basin. His jousters frozen in mid-action, his life-size santons from the giant nativity scene at Saint-Jacques Chapel, his pavois awarded to the winners of the jousting tournament… Each creation is a tribute to local traditions.

Gift idea: his jousting figures, available at the Frontignan Tourist Office, make unique gifts for all enthusiasts of local culture. Each piece is handcrafted using a blend of recycled materials and technical innovations. A gift that tells the living history of Frontignan and Languedoc jousting.

📍 Where to find his creations: Frontignan Tourist Office shop, 6 Place de l’Hôtel de Ville

See the profile of Jean-Louis DELORME

LIMONCE'THAU THE SUNLIGHT ON THE POND

There are stories that are told over a drink. In Mèze, Mathieu and Claire have transformed a family recipe into a liquid ambassador for the Thau basin. Their artisanal limoncello, Limonce’Thau, combines Mediterranean warmth with patient craftsmanship. Every bottle embodies this southern philosophy: take your time, do things properly.

The process is meticulous: the lemons macerate in alcohol, a syrup is prepared from sugar and water, and everything is blended together. But the real secret lies in peeling the hundreds of kilos of lemons, a task carried out by the whole family. The label itself, designed by Mathieu’s sister-in-law, depicts the bay with its oyster beds. On the back, a poetic text inspired by Brassens adds a touch of Mediterranean culture.

Gift idea: a bottle of Limonce’Thau is like giving a ray of sunshine in the middle of winter. Perfect for toasting the festive season or to enhance a dessert at family meals. An Orangecello is set to join the range next year!

📍Where to find Limonce’Thau: Shops at the Archipel de Thau Tourist Office, Carrefour in Balaruc-les-Bains, local wine merchants

Discover the history of Limonce'Thau

THAU CERAMICS THE LAGOON ON EVERY PLATE

Tucked away in a narrow street in Marseillan, François Thirion and Romain Blomme’s workshop transforms clay into poetry. Céramiques de Thau represents three generations of potters passing on a demanding craft. The colour palette echoes the lagoon: shades of blue-green tinged with sand and ochre, as if the Thau lagoon itself had found its way onto every piece.

The Marseillan lighthouse, oysters, fish… Each motif is a tribute to the local area. The glazes are prepared on site, tested and refined to achieve these unique shades. The decorations draw on ancestral techniques: impressions of vine leaves, inspired by Gallic pottery. A piece turned today will only emerge from the kiln glazed at least three weeks later, after drying, trimming, and the first and second firings.

Gift idea: a plate adorned with oysters, bowls in the colours of the bay… Each piece is unique, transforming every meal into a celebration of the Mediterranean. The workshop also offers pottery-throwing courses, an original gift idea to pass on this craft.

📍Where to find their creations: Sète Tourist Office shop, 60 Grand rue Mario Roustan / Workshop: 3 rue Henri Maffre, 34340 Marseillan-Ville

Discover Céramiques de Thau

BAD GEORGES THE SPIRIT OF SÉTES IN SILK-SCREEN PRINTING

At 53 Rue Jean Jaurès in Sète, Bad Georgesis reinventing the tourist poster. Christopher Dombres and Bastien Garnier have created a brand that boldly celebrates local culture. Their logo, a skeletal octopus with a moustachioed skull, encapsulates the brand’s ethos: originality, creativity and local roots.

Each creation draws on personal and collective history: Miss Macaronade blends the story of a Miss France who became a princess with a celebration of Sète’s cuisine, whilst the sharks serve as a reminder that it was here that the largest great white sharks were caught. Everything is hand-screen-printed in their workshop using traditional techniques. A fully artisanal approach that guarantees the authenticity of every piece.

Gift idea: retro posters, tote bags, T-shirts, stickers… Bad Georges’ designs transform Sète’s identity into everyday objects. Perfect for those who love originality and humour, whilst paying tribute to local heritage. A gift that brings a smile and tells a story.

📍Where to find Bad Georges: Sète Tourist Office shop, 60 Grand rue Mario Roustan / Workshop-shop: 53 rue Jean Jaurès, 34200 Sète

Step into the world of Bad Georges

A UNIQUE LAND THE UNIQUE ISLAND CAPTURED IN EARTHENWARE

In the creative space of La Boussole à Facettes, Cyrielle Garrigues sculpts memories. Originally from Brittany but having fallen in love with Sète, she founded Terre Singulière in 2017, a name that echoes the nickname given to Sète by Paul Valéry. Her technique? A subtle blend of engraving, printing and inlay, using real oyster shells and rosemary leaves to create textures impossible to achieve through drawing alone.

The tielle dish bearing the imprint of an octopus, the oyster plates in the colours of the bay (sea blue, sunset red), the magnets… Each symbol tells the story of Sète: sardines, sea bream, seahorses, anchors, boats. Cyrielle also works to order: restaurants and private customers can commission bespoke pieces which will then join the collection.

Gift idea: giving a Terre Singulière plate is a poetic way to set the table. The tielle dish will be a hit at family meals, whilst the small plant sticks adorned with quotes from Paul Valéry or Georges Brassens will add a literary touch to the garden. Gifts that celebrate everyday life.

📍Where to find Terre Singulière: Sète Tourist Office shop, 60 Grand rue Mario Roustan / La Boussole à Facettes, rue Paul Valéry, 34200 Sète

Discover Terre Singulière